Rolls-Royce and United Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne have announced additional company investment in the state of Rio de Janeiro to, "better support customers in the country's rapidly expanding offshore oil and gas industry".
A new £22 million (US$37.4 million) marine facility in Duque de Caxias, located in the region's north, will be used to assemble and test large thrusters and other propulsion equipment for use on semisubmersible rigs, drill ships, FPSOs and other complex offshore vessels, Rolls-Royce said.
Construction at the 27,000m2 site will begin next month. Delivery of the first Brazil-built set of Rolls-Royce UUC 405 thrusters will commence in June 2015. Rolls-Royce thrusters will be installed aboard seven drill ships, which are currently under construction by Brazilian shipyard Estaleiro Atlântico Sul for local oil and gas company Sete Brasil.
"A central part of the UK government's long-term economic plan is to back British companies that are seeking to export more and help them secure success in emerging markets," commented Chancellor Osborne.
"I am pleased to be able to announce the latest facility to be built by Rolls-Royce, drawn from extensive experience in challenging environments such as the North Sea."
The UK government has been collaborating with the Brazilian government to establish and strengthen partnerships in the global energy sector, with Rolls-Royce's new facility an example of "work paying off", Mr Osborne concluded.
This is the second investment Rolls-Royce has made in the expansion of its marine capabilities in Brazil this year, having opened a marine customer training facility in Niteroi in early March.